“As the new year approaches, it’s a great time of year to think about what you really want to spend your time on. Where do you want to place your energy?
“What deserves your attention?”
– Frances Booth, Why It’s the Best Time of Year to Get Creative, Forbes.com
This is the quote that caught my eye.
I think Ms. Booth is on to something.
It’s not immediately obvious, but I think we can all sense it. This is the season when life seems to reach the peak of its intensity.
Maybe it’s in the stark opposing forces, the
The year is winding down, but we’re busier than ever.
There are multiple things going every weekend, but work demands are slowing down.
The contrast is everywhere: wind and snow outside, the fire and hot chocolate inside. The short tempers and anger and the peace and goodwill toward men. The familiar screams of injustice and the horrors of a dying world, and the quiet hush of endless lives stopping to look up, rapt in wonder, expectant for a savior to come.
Time itself is stretched thin. It’s running out. But what remains is more alive.
Sharper. Heavier. Fuller.
It’s potential.
Do you feel it?
I think it is the best time of year to be creative. I hope you take some time in the midst of the bustle and busy to still and look up, and let the contrasts inspire you to let your art out.
As John Cleese has said, all you need is space, time, confidence and humor:
Time because you must learn to tolerate the discomfort of pondering time and waiting in indecision.
Confidence because nothing will stop you being creative so effectively as the fear of making a mistake.
and Humor because it’s the fastest way out of a closed mind.
“What better time to start something new and exciting? Rather than just consuming information, as we often spend so much time doing, by stepping back from scrolling, searching and sending, we can draw on inspiration and create. There’s satisfaction in the creative process itself, and it’s refreshing, too.”
Take time to pay attention. Slow down and live in your skin. Look closely and then capture it. Your future self will thank you.
aha, you quote john cleese are you sure that isn’t something from the bible? like maybe you are mixed up with the initials…you know, J.C.????
i love your personification of our futures. as in thinking of them as being able to thank us someday if we can and do, indeed, slow down. amen.
love you
suzee B
p.s. thanks also for the t.e.d. talk, i’d seen it awhile back and had forgotten how right on and encouraging it is :-)
Is this, for those of us who assay to do God’s work, an artistically explosive interpretation of “for it is God who is at work in you both to will and work His good pleasure?” I really don’t have time to read and contemplate this today, so how is it that it set me on a lengthy writing excursion? Sigh. Perhaps I can’t not have time? Ole!